RAF Hendon

My estimate for the journey time was a bit optimistic and it was 11.30 before we were sitting down to our coffee and pastries, looking at the site map and deciding in which order to visit the various exhibits.There are six hangars at the museum, each one dedicated to a different aspect of the RAF, including its history from the First World War to the nuclear age today. Even before the RAF and its predecessors the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were in existence, the London Aerodrome at Hendon was a home to flying, being owned by Claude Graham-White, one of the pioneers of aviation, who had his aircraft factory on the site and used the airfield for flying displays. It was not until after the war that the airfield was taken over by the RAF as RAF Hendon, being used as a Fighter Command Station in the Second World War and eventually closing as an RAF base in 1957.It is amazing to see how rapidly aeroplanes changed in a short space of time; even during WW1 the very early stringbags at the start and the heavier, more powerful fighters and bombers at the end of the war belong to different species almost. Between the wars steady development took place but it was WW2 that gave the next real impetus to development, and again the difference between aircraft at the start and end of the war was colossal, with the major leap forward being the first jet fighter in its closing stages. The Jet Age had arrived.

At the museum you can see examples of aeroplane types from those very early days to modern fighter jets and almost everything in between. Our President Robin Adams was proud to show us the very Canberra which he had flown in and surprised that the museum also had a Phantom in which he had flown. That Canberra won an air race between Britain and New Zealand in 1953, in just over twenty hours, a time that is now achieved by commercial airliners.In all, we were at the museum for four hours, from 11.30 to 3.30 and I think few of us managed to see everything. I can thoroughly recommend a visit, it is easily reachable by public transport (about 10 minutes’ walk from Colindale tube station) or by car if you can bear the traffic conditions in London.

Probus visit in 2008

The Presidential Canberra

PR3 WE 139

This very aircraft, that we saw at Hendon, won the London to Christchurch air race in Oct. 1953 – 12,300 miles in 23 hrs 51 mins at an average speed in the air of 546mph, about 0.81 Mach. An amazing feat in those days. This record still stands!The PR3 was the photo recce version of the Canberra and carried more fuel than the bomber aircraft. I first met and flew 139 on 1. 4. 1963. It was then finished in a lovely powder blue - good camouflage for the great heights at which these aircraft could cruise >50,000ft, well out of reach of the fighters of the day.In the late 50s PR3s made many secret flights over the Soviet Union without loss, despite the best efforts of Mig 15s which our crews would often see thousands of feet below. Thus, film of potential targets for the V Force was made available long before the days of satellites.My first flight in 139 was made when I was being trained in the mystical art of photo - reconnaissance at Bassingbourne Cambs. After a tour in Germany on the PR7,a mark with even more fuel, I returned to Bassingbourne this time to instruct new crews. I was delighted to find that 139 was still there. As staff we were encouraged to take aircraft away for the weekend. I always chose 139, a special aircraft that would cruise at a higher speed than all the other others. Over three years we flew all around Europe from the very top of Norway and down to Aden where I bought a large box, which just fitted into the flare bay, of Noritake china, 100+ pieces for £37 10s!It was quite an emotional moment to see her again after 55 years. A kind custodian even found the key and I was able to look at the instruments and take in the typical Canberra smell - great stuff.Thank you, Tim for a splendid day out for all of us.Robin Adams

Probity Extra!

Adrian Turner has provided the image below which shows where the original airfield was at RAF Hendon now completely built over.

RAF Hendon 1945 with current road overlay

AGM - Wednesday 9th January 2019

Notice is hereby given of the 42nd Annual General Meeting to be held at the ​Goring and Streatley Golf Club on Wednesday 9th January 2019

Welcome.​Apologies for absence

Minutes of last Annual General Meeting

Matters arising

Secretary`s report

The Treasurer`s statement

Social Secretary`s report

Talks Secretary`s report

Editor of Probity`s report

The Chairman`s review of the year

Election of new Chairman

Election of officers and committee members

Election of Honorary Auditor

Any other business

Date of next AGM Wednesday 8th January 2020

Today`s speaker: Mark Taylor whose talk is “Ships, stars and islands”

NOMINATIONS FOR COMMITTEENomination under agenda items 11 and 12Nominations should be made in writing using the form below and handed to the Secretary by 31st December 2018.​They must be signed by the proposer, seconder and nominee to indicate his willingness to stand.

1. As an afterthought, mail candidate’s answer sheet (10)2 Old chap could take on any number of witches! (4)3. Stable visitor..... (8)4. ...helps another to swallow most of senior nurse! (7)5. A bird’s bogey youth organization? (4, 7)6. Rash Christmas fare. (10)7. Mosaic diversion – wine and water? (3,3)8. It’s an old joke, stuffing body parts together. (8)10. Travel adviser to 3 d ? (5)16. Titanic obstacle. (7)20. Is a current offering for sacrifice? (5)22. Sir Ian’s constituents for Xmas pudding. (7)23. Fifty bees send German troops wild – result, a happy State! (11)25.Summon former wife over reverse wind-up. (10)26. Cowardly, I’d heard this shade of iris so described (6-4)28. Work together to bury deed. (8)31. Late in the day water’s half-in, half-out. (8)32. Grapes, take note, may give indication of the future (7)​34. Find stable place for French to eat. (6)35. See 27 a.39. Entranced to hear how Xmas gifts are presented? (4)